Monday Rewind:5 things we learned in Thailand

Chonburi, Thailand, December 14: It has been yet another exciting week on the Asian Tour. Not only did we witness a worthy winner in Jamie Donaldson of Wales but also a courageous young Thai Phachara Khongwatmai who fought his way to The Open at the Thailand Golf Championship on Sunday.In this Monday rewind, we look back at the prestigious US$1 milion event and chose five interesting things that happened in the tournament. Phachara Khongwatmai of Thailand[dropcap style="default, circle, box, book"]1[/dropcap]Phachara Khongwatmai will become one of the youngest players in recent history to tee it up at The Open after securing one of the four qualifying spots on offer with his sixth placed finish at the Thailand Golf Championship. The 16-year-old came through the Monday qualifiers and outshone some of the tournament’s leading lights to stake his place at the world’s oldest Major.[dropcap style="default, circle, box, book"]2[/dropcap]France’s Clement Sordet was also one of the revelations of the Thailand Golf Championship. The unheralded Frenchman got a late invitation to the tournament and repaid the faith in the sponsors by going on a fairy tale run to eventually finish tied for second with former world number one Lee Westwood of Thailand. Lee Westwood of England[dropcap style="default, circle, box, book"]3[/dropcap]The crowd was out in full force, hoping to welcome a first Thai to win the Thailand Golf Championship. Although their wait had to be extended, many left with happy memories as they got the chance to get up close and personal with their local heroes.[dropcap style="default, circle, box, book"]4[/dropcap]The action was sizzling not only on the golf course but also everywhere. Temperatures soared to a high of 35 degrees during the week and for champion Jamie Donaldson, it ‘probably the hardest thing as it’s been incredibly hot![dropcap style="default, circle, box, book"]5[/dropcap]Bubba Watson’s ace on the par-three fifth on the final day was his fifth hole-in-one he has ever made but the first time in a professional competition.

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